The role of the Children's Guardian is to speak up and represent the views and interests of children in care proceedings. You can obtain more information on the Cafcass website at http://www.cafcass.gov.uk/.

The Guardian may sometimes be in agreement with the Local Authority, but not always. However, as already stated here, the Guardian's view is integral so it is always good to know what their thinking is in the court decision making process. Either by speaking to them directly, by phone, when they visit from discussions with your solicitor.

A guardian is usually an experienced social work professional, but there are clear rules about them being a Children's Guardian or social worker, simultaneously within the same Local Authority, or for some time having worked within a specific one.

"Cafcass is independent of the courts, social services, education and health authorities and all similar agencies......it is intended to ......within the law set by Parliament and under the rules and directions of the family courts..... in order to •safeguard and promote the welfare of children •give advice to the family courts •make provision for children to be represented •provide information, advice and support to children and their families".

The role of the Independent Reviewing Officer, on the other hand, is to monitor the progress of Looked After Children, and to ensure that the corporate parenting functions of the Local Authority are carried out.

They are normally employed by the Local Authority, but within the line management of the safeguarding team, and under a separate line management structure than the referral and assessment, family support and child protection or Children Looked After teams, one where the allocated social worker for the child is likely to be based, for instance. They are responsible for chairing the Looked After Review meeting, and would usually ensure that minutes of this meeting are circulated within seven working days.

In addition the Independent Review Officer will monitor and ensure the care plan is progressed in a timely fashion, to ensure the views of the child, parents, connected persons and relevant professionals are incorporated. Furthermore, they have the power to challenge poor practice and decision making processes, are addressed at a higher level within the Local Authority, if necessary.

Hi there, I'm wondering if you could help. Im wanting to write to someone in regards to the rules that are made for taking peoples children and the rules set for working with familes? I'm looking at wanting to give my opinion on how uneffective these rules are. I also want to talk about how there isnt enough funding for people to keep familes togther. If you could be of some help id really appreciate it. Many thanks. H******Edited by Suzie to comply with board rules

You joined the parents’ discussion board some time ago but have only now decided to post.

In response to your post, since children’s services safeguarding role for children come from legislation made by parliament, if you have concerns about how this is implemented the best person to take it up with is your local Member of Parliament.

If you wish to give other posters information regarding your own experience of children’s services involvement with your family, then this forum can be used for this purpose. The discussion board is helpful to other posters when they read of person who have been in similar circumstances and had good outcomes.